Federal government analyzes demolition of Ponte do Esqueleto in Limeira after death of young man without a jump rope
The federal government announced the evaluation of the demolition of the Ponte do Esqueleto, located in Limeira, in the interior of São Paulo. The decision comes after the tragic incident involving Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21 years old, who was thrown from a height of 40 meters without safety equipment while practicing rope jumping at the site.
Context of the structure and the recent tragedy
The bridge in question is federal property and has remained inactive for vehicular traffic for three decades. The construction is located on the border between the cities of Limeira and Cordeirópolis, on Estrada Doutor Cássio de Freitas Levy, approximately seven kilometers from the center of Limeira. The area is characterized by a rural environment, with forest and trails widely used by cyclists, runners and extreme sports enthusiasts.
After the young woman’s death, Union representatives promptly met with the municipal administrations of Limeira and Cordeirópolis to discuss emergency actions related to the structure. In an official statement, the federal government explained that the Union Heritage Secretariat (SPU) and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (AGU) were in the bridge region. Yesterday, teams from the two federal entities spoke with the mayor of Cordeirópolis, Cristina Saad (União), and the mayor of Limeira, Murilo Felix (Podemos), and their respective teams.
Both city councils expressed support for the proposal to remove the bridge. The Cordeirópolis manager guaranteed that access to the structure, from the municipality’s side, was always properly blocked. She reiterated to the federal government her approval for the implosion. The mayor of Limeira, in turn, also informed the Union of the containment measures already implemented and reinforced his stance in favor of demolition.
Federal and municipal governments have joined forces to restrict access to the bridge until a definitive decision is implemented. The Limeira administration declared that it will reestablish a ditch, previously sealed without the knowledge of local authorities, with the aim of preventing entry into the site.
While the future of the structure remains undefined, the federal government has already announced the installation of warning signs. These notices will inform you that the bridge is owned by the Union and that entry to the site is strictly prohibited. Additionally, physical barriers will be placed to block access. According to a press release, SPU will continue discussions with local governments to find a final solution for the bridge, which may include its removal.
The SPU emphasized that it never granted authorization for any type of activity on the bridge. However, over the years, the structure became an informal visiting point. Despite its official deactivation, the place began to attract visitors due to its panoramic views and natural setting.
The bridge’s remarkable height made it attractive for adventure sports. Companies specializing in this segment have been promoting rope jumping activities on site for years. Event advertisements even described the structure as ideal for a free fall of approximately 30 meters.
Previous debates and ignored security measures
Security in the area has been a topic of discussion for a long time. In 2024, after the death of a cyclist was recorded, the Superintendence of Heritage of the Union of the State of São Paulo formally requested the City of Limeira to block access to the structure and install danger signs at the location.
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On that occasion, access to the bridge was effectively closed, but it was later reopened. Months later, in May of the same year, a group of businesspeople appeared at the Limeira City Council. They sought support from councilors to ensure adventure sports businesses could continue to operate in the area.
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas suffered a fall of approximately 40 meters. The Fire Department was called to the scene, on the Skeletor Bridge trail, and confirmed the death, according to information from the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat (SSP-SP). The case was registered as a homicide at the 3rd Limeira Police Station.
When the Military Police arrived, a nurse was trying to revive the victim. Next to her were two men who identified themselves as employees of the company responsible for the jumps, according to the Police Report (BO). The pair presented their documents, but, according to the police report, fled into a wooded area while one of the police officers walked away to assist in the rescue.
The police report indicates that a witness provided police with a video of the moment of the fall. In the images, it was possible to observe three individuals, supposedly from the jumping company, lifting the victim above their heads and then throwing him from the bridge. The document emphasizes that, according to the recording, the young woman was not using any safety equipment and was thrown into free fall.
Six people were taken to the police station to provide clarification. Three of them were released after their statements, according to information from the Military Police.
Three men were arrested in the act on charges of homicide with possible intent, characterized by taking the risk of causing death, even without direct intention. The individuals identified are Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, Vitor De Freitas Gonçalves and Maicon Fernandes Cintra. The São Paulo Court converted the flagrant arrest of the suspected trio into preventive detention, which is for an indefinite period.
The detainees were unable to provide clear explanations to the police about what had happened. The delegate on duty, Andréa Dantas, stated that the men were unable to answer whether the absence of the safety rope on the young woman was the result of a mistake or an oversight. The delegate added, in an interview with EPTV (a TV Globo affiliate) and on journalist Carlos Gomide’s Instagram page, that they “are even confused by the situation because they have been doing this for a long time and [an episode like this] had never happened.”
